Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-06-29
KNIGHTS OF LABOR.
The New Constitution Adopted by a Two
Thirds Tore-Its Proytsiona

The New Constitution Adopted by a Two
Thirds Yore-Its Provisions
| PHILADELPHIA, Pa, June 23.-Returns
from several thousand local assemblies
Of Knights of Labor to-day show that
the new constitution and national
trade assembly clause have been
adopted by three fourths vote
and it is probable that the general execu-
tive board will promulgate the new con-
J stitution, which contains many important
changes, about July L. The adoption of
this constitution was denied few DAYS
| since.
| Following is an analysis OF the new
constitution adopted by the various as
semblies of Knights of Labor and which
will be promulgated by the general
executive committee of the order in q few
days. An analysis of the vote shows that
nearly half of the local assemblies that
opposed the adoption Of new constitution
did so on account of section 325 which
reaGs: "NO lOCaI or other assembly
CT member shall directly or indirectly
give or sell or have any ale, beer or
! Intoxicating liquors Of any kind at any
meeting, party, soCiabIe, hall, picnic
or entertainment, whatever appertaining
to the order. Any member found guilty
of violating this Law shall be suspended
no less than six months or expelled No
fine shall be imposed for this ofense.
Any local or ether assembly so of
Tending shall be suspended during the
pleasure of the general executive board,
or shall have its char er revoked by the
general executive board" Nearly every
assembly composed solely of Germans
voted against this clause and therefore
against The whole.
The article upon cooperation WAS
adopted unanimously. It is quite
lengthy and provides for the creation and
disbursement Of fund TO aid co-opera-
ton enterprises. Each local as
sembly is required to collect
and deposit q sum not less
than cents per month for every member
in good standing. The money is to be
invested by a cooperative board and
profits are to be divided equally between
the general assembly, the cooperative
fund and the Workmen who create the
profit.
The new constitution gives the general
executive board full power to settle all
strikes and disputes, whether sanctioned
by the board or not, and it increases the
particulars. Hereafter an executive
state, national or unattached local as
sembly shall be entitled to one delegate
to each 5000 members or majority frac-
ton thereof.
The term of of1f'e over which there has
been go much controversy has been fixed
at two years. The compensation hereaf-
ter will be fixed by the General Assembly
when the officer is elected.
The National Trade AssembIY's clause
is probably the most important Of the
change. It provides that "auy particular
trade or calling may form national trade
assembly by giving at least three months
notice TO each local assembly,
the entire membership OF which
is composed of such trade, to attend
convention for the purpose of forming
National Trade Assembly," At least two
thirds of the local assemblies must
vote in favor of the trade assembly, and
not less than ten assemblies,
if there be that number in the order, may
receive charter. Section of the ar
ticle is not very strong, however, as it
still leaves the matter in the
hands of the general executive board
which II the law has been complied
with may instruct the general secretary
to issue g charter. Votes will be re-
ceived until July -, and recorded, al
though the new constitution will be in
effect some tiMe before that, probably
about July IL 81